Toothed coupling

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a toothed coupling, especially a double toothed coupling, for rail vehicles, essentially consisting of a coupling housing ( 2 ) and at least one coupling component ( 3, 4 ) fitted inside the coupling housing ( 2 ), the coupling component has first teeth ( 9, 10 ) in its peripheral region ( 7 ) and the coupling housing has second teeth ( 11, 12 ) in its peripheral region ( 8 ) which form engaging teeth ( 13, 14 ) with the first teeth of the coupling component ( 3, 4 ) which are movable in relation to one another, and there is at least one annular disk-shaped support cover ( 21, 22 ) protecting the engaging teeth ( 13, 14 ) at the respective faces ( 19, 20 ) between the coupling housing ( 2 ) and the coupling component ( 3, 4 ). A toothed coupling is to be provided in which an exchange of media and, with the coupling rotating, irregular running, imbalance and wear of the sealing elements is prevented. To achieve this, there is at least one axial corrugated pipe ( 18, 47 ) positioned between the coupling housing ( 2; 5, 6 ) and each coupling component ( 3, 4 ) secured to at least one of both parts ( 2, 3; 2, 4  or  5, 3; 6, 4 ) which seals engaging teeth ( 13, 14 ) and also resiliently sets a predetermined position of the coupling housing ( 2; 5, 6 ).

The invention relates to a toothed coupling and in particular to adouble toothed coupling for rail vehicles, essentially consisting of acoupling housing and at least one coupling component fitted inside thehousing, the coupling component has first teeth in its peripheral regionand the coupling housing has second teeth in its peripheral region whichform engaging teeth with the first teeth of the coupling component whichare movable in relation to one another, and there is at least oneannular disc-shaped support cover protecting the engaging teeth at therespective faces between the coupling housing and the couplingcomponent.

These toothed couplings are employed in most different areas of motivepower engineering, such as for connecting a driving shaft to a drivenshaft, when they consist of two torsionally rigid coupling componentsand when a relative movement occurs between the two shafts due toradial, vertical and/or angular displacements which needs to becompensated for by the coupling. The relative motion between couplinghousing and coupling components including shafts, as a result, istransferred to the first and second teeth of the engaging teeth.

A toothed coupling and, in particular, a double toothed coupling forrail vehicles is disclosed in publication DE-GM 93 09 829.4 in whichinternally toothed coupling components are connected with an externallytoothed coupling housing.

Between coupling housing and internal support cover, a coil spring isprovided which serves to keep the coupling components in axial position.A disadvantage of the coil springs is that during rotation, imbalanceand wear occur between spring and spring support with the rotatingcoupling due to its freely moving windings.

The radial faces between the coupling housing and the couplingcomponents are completely sealed by means of elastic diaphragm sealingrings with convex front ends.

As the coupling rotates, the radial annular bulging of the diaphragmsealing rings may be reversed due to the strong centrifugal force thuspossibly reducing the service life of the diaphragm sealing rings.

Moreover, the printing DE 295 06 461 reveals a double toothed couplingin which a contact-free gap seal consisting of a cover secured to thecoupling housing is provided between the coupling housing and thecoupling components as well as an additional sealing protection cap. Incase of heavy strain, medium can flow through the still existing gapwhich finally does not represent a complete sealing.

Since there are generally no centring coil springs inside the coupling,ring elements to restrict displacement which are arranged opposite toeach other with respect to their axial direction and consist of anelastic material are provided in order to limit the relative movement ofthe external gear between its internal and external areas; on the longterm, said ring elements, however, are likely to wear out and are unableto centre the coupling.

A brochure “Bogenzahnkupplungen, Basis Baureihen für Industrie-,Schiffs- und Meerestechnik”¹, FIG. 9, printed in 1991, shows a toothedcoupling featuring a diaphragm sealing ring at the front end and aninternally mounted dynamic coil spring. Each coil spring is positionedbetween the respective internal flange covers and coupling componentsinside the coupling component chamber. The diaphragm sealing ringsmounted at front ends provide that the coupling housing is completelysealed against the external area of the coupling component. In thisembodiment, too, imbalance and wear occur as the coupling rotates due tothe behaviour of the prestressed coil spring.

¹“Curved teeth coupling, basic series for industrial, shipping andmarine technology”

In the international patent application Wo 95/27151 a double coupling isdisclosed, in which two internal coupling components are enclosed by acoupling housing. The internal teeth of the coupling components arepositioned on a gear ring or gear star with circumferential roundopenings in axial direction which are directed towards the externallylocated support covers and in which the coil springs are arranged insuch a way that they contact the annular support cover of the couplinghousing. Since the individual coil springs are fitted in a highlyelaborate manner into the multi-part support cover which has a conicalshape with respect to the exterior of the coupling component and in thatthese support covers are screwed to the external face of the coupling sothat they can be adjusted, they serve to centre the engaging teeth. Withthis configuration, too, media can be exchanged through the existingwedge-shaped tiny gaps at front ends between the components of thesupport cover. In the known toothed coupling sealings are subject towear.

The aim of the invention therefore is to develop a toothed couplingwhich is designed in such a way that the exchange of media and, with thecoupling rotating, irregular running, imbalance and wear of the sealingelements is prevented.

This is achieved by the features in claim 1. In the toothed couplingaccording to the generic term in claim 1, between the coupling housingand each coupling component, there is at least one axial corrugated pipesecured to at least one of both parts which seals the engaging teeth andalso resiliently sets a predetermined position of the coupling housing.

Although, depending on how the peripheral regions of coupling housingand coupling components are positioned to each other, the engaging teethand the corresponding corrugated pipes can be placed accordingly, i.e.outside or within the peripheral region of the coupling housing, theinvention will be discussed hereunder in detail with respect to atoothed coupling in which the peripheral region of the couplingcomponents faces the coupling housing.

Accurate dimensions of the corrugated pipes provide for non-slippingtorque transmission.

Through the use of corrugated pipes, it is possible to save severalparts for sealing and spring support. Referring to the invention, thesmoothness of running is substantially improved by the shape andarrangement of the corrugated pipes.

The corrugated pipe is preferably shaped in the form of a bellowconsisting of corrosion-proof material.

The corrugated pipe may be axially mounted with or without pretensionbetween the coupling housing or the coupling housing componentsconnected to the coupling housing and one coupling componentrespectively and, in case of axial relative movement of the couplingcomponents, ensures that the coupling housing sets to its predeterminedposition preferably in the centre between both coupling components.

At its outer edge region at the front ends, the corrugated pipe mayeither be fitted with annular or flange-like fastening elements whichare preferably arranged parallel in relation to each other. Thefastening elements may consist of a plurality of rings, the outer edgeregion of the corrugated pipe being bonded to one of these ringsparticularly by welding.

Depending on the rigidity requirements, this corrugated pipe may besingle-walled or multi-walled, the corrugated pipe preferably has asimple shape or is formed in multiple meanders as regards to itslongitudinal section.

Depending on the intended strain, the corrugated pipe features anundulated geometry in which the outer envelope of the corrugated pipepreferably has a cylindrical or tapered shape or the like.

The radial support cover basically consists of an external fasteningelement and an internal fastening component and, depending on theposition of the engaging teeth, is connected either to the couplinghousing or the coupling component and to the corrugated pipe via itsinternal fastening component preferably by means of cramping or weldingand largely covers the corresponding axial free space at front ends.

If the corresponding peripheral region of the coupling components isinside the coupling housing, the coupling components are provided withan annular recess preferably with a cavity-shaped cross section aroundits circumference at the respective front ends with respect to theinterior of the coupling component in which the corrugated pipe ispreferably mounted in central direction to the camber centre lines ofthe coupling component teeth and axially in relation to the axis ofrotation of the coupling housing.

The external fastening element of the support cover may be secured tothe coupling housing or the coupling halves, as the case may be,preferably by means of a releasable locking facility.

The external free spaces at front ends and the corresponding internalfree spaces which represent the interior of the coupling component areinterconnected by means of at least one pressure compensation openingthrough which lubricants and in particular oil as well as air can beexchanged for pressure compensation.

The free spaces allocated to each other serve the purpose of a pneumaticspring since they are completely sealed by means of the elasticcorrugated pipe.

Irrespective of the design of the toothed couplings and in particulardouble toothed couplings, this invention makes it possible to completelyseal the internal chambers between couplings components and couplinghousing thus preventing media flowing from the inside to the outside andvice versa; lubricants can neither flow out of the free spaces nor canmedia flow into the engaging teeth, which largely increases the servicelife of the coupling. With the invention, both internal and externalareas of the cambered teeth (coupling stars) of the coupling componentsare protected against wear on the long term. This aims at a toothedcoupling in which lubrication is designed to provide long service.

Further, the corrugated pipe which is secured to the coupling housingand to at least one of the coupling components features closed walls andprovides sealing and resilient properties thus enabling a simpleconstruction of the coupling components so that material costs andassembly time can be reduced. If desired, the corrugated pipes can bepositioned successively, one inside the other or parallel to each otherin the recesses of the coupling components.

In addition, the engaging teeth of a coupling may preferably compriseone straight internal tooth gearing of the coupling housing and anengaging cambered external tooth gearing of the coupling component.

The invention can be employed in all toothed couplings irrespective ofthe design of the coupling components and the coupling housing andirrespective of where the teeth of the engaging teeth are positioned andhow their design has been executed.

In relation to the invention and as described above, the corrugatedpipes may also be secured to the coupling housing and the couplingcomponents outside the peripheral region of the coupling housing; thecoupling component teeth (first teeth) are designed as internal toothgearing and the coupling housing teeth (second teeth) are designed asexternal tooth gearing with the peripheral regions of the couplingcomponents enclosing the coupling housing at front ends and at itsexterior. The coupling housing is positioned between the internallytoothed coupling components as an externally toothed intermediary piece.

Further developments and suitable embodiments of the invention aredescribed in further sub-claims.

The invention will become apparent in a more detailed description of anembodiment; reference will be made to several drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing one half of a longitudinal sectionof a double toothed coupling related to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a magnified section of the corrugated pipe area in FIG. 1taken along circular line I,

FIG. 3 is a magnified section (along circular line II) of the fasteningarea around the support cover in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4. is a magnified section similar to FIG. 2 and 3 with a fasteningelement consisting of several rings secured to the corrugated pipe and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a double toothed coupling according toFIG. 1, in which the coupling components are displaced in relation totheir radial position.

In the following FIGS. 1 to 5, the same reference signs are employed forsimilar parts.

Referring to the invention, FIG. 1 depicts a toothed coupling and inparticular a double toothed coupling 1 with a coupling housing 2 and twocoupling components 3,4 which are, for example, developed as one partand are positioned in the coupling housing 2; the coupling components3,4 each determine one internal coupling component chamber 17,65 insidethe coupling housing 2 with a flange area 56 in between. For practicalreasons, the coupling housing 2 consists of two, largely symmetriccoupling halves (also called coupling sleeves or bushes) 5,6 boltedtogether by means of fit bolts 23 at flanges 42,43 which are provided atthe coupling halves 5,6 and positioned opposite to one anothercomprising a radially positioned internal cover 45,46 sealing bothinternal coupling component chambers 17,65. At their external peripheralregion 7, the coupling components 3,4 feature an external tooth gearing9,10 (first teeth) with cambered coupling teeth. Coupling housing 2features an internal tooth gearing 11,12 (second teeth) at its internalperipheral region 8. External tooth gearing 9,10 of coupling components3,4 and internal tooth gearing 11,12 of coupling housing 2 each formengaging teeth 13,14 in the coupling halves 5,6, in which similar to therelative movement between the coupling components 3,4 and the couplinghousing 2, the internal tooth gearing 12,13 and the external toothgearing 9,10 are accordingly movable in relation to one another. Therelative movement occurs in case of axial and/or angular displacement ofthe coupling components 3,4 in relation to the coupling housing 2 or thecoupling halves 5,6 as the case may be. At axial faces 19,20 and betweencoupling halves 5,6 and the corresponding coupling component 3,4, thereexists a circular outer free space 15 or 16 as the case may be.

At faces 19,20 of the coupling housing 2, there are support covers 21,22which are basically shaped in the form of an annular disc and alsofeature a radial external fastening element 28,29 and a radial internalfastening component 60,61. The support covers 21,22 are secured tocoupling housing 2 or, as the case may be, coupling halves 5,6 by meansof their external fastening element 28,29 thus largely covering theaxial free spaces 15,16 at the front end.

Referring to the invention, an axial corrugated pipe 18,47 is positionedbetween the coupling housing 2 or, as the case may be, coupling halves5,6 and each coupling component 3,4 which is also secured to both parts5,3 and 6,4 and seals the corresponding engaging teeth 13,14 and alsoresiliently sets a predetermined position of the coupling housing 2.

The corrugated pipe 18,47 is axially mounted between coupling halves 5,6and one coupling component 3,4 and, with the coupling components 3,4axially moving in relation to one another, sets coupling housing 2 toits predetermined central position between both coupling components 3,4.The corrugated pipe may be prestressed, i.e. it can be in a prestressedor relaxed condition with respect to pressure or tension.

Accurate dimensions of the corrugated pipes 18,47 provide non-slippingtorque transmission.

The corrugated pipe preferably shaped in the form of a bellow consistingof corrosion-proof material.

At both outer edge regions, the corrugated pipe 18,47 is equipped withannular flange-like fastening elements 53,54 or with 40,41 and inparticular bellow-type flanges which are preferably arranged parallel toone another. The corrugated pipe 18,47 may be bonded to its fasteningelements 53,54 or 40,41 as the case may be particularly be welding.

The corrugated pipe 18,47 can be single-walled or multi-walled.

FIG. 2 is a magnified section of corrugated pipe 47 in central mountingposition, however, reference is also made to the drawing on the leftside in FIG. 1.

The corrugated pipe 47,18 may also have a simple shape or be formed inmultiple meanders with respect to its longitudinal section.

Depending on the intended strain on clutch 1, it is possible to adjustthe undulated geometry. Similarly, the outer envelope 55 of corrugatedpipe 47,18 may also have a shape different from a cylindrical one.

The corrugated pipes 47,18 are secured to the internal fasteningcomponents 60,61 of support covers 22,21 at front ends.

At faces 20,19 and directed to the internal coupling component chamber65,17, each coupling component 4,3 is provided with an annular orcircular recess with cavity-shaped cross-section 50 or 51 in which thecorrugated pipe 47 or 18 as the case may be is preferably mounted incentral position to the cambered centre lines 52 or 48 as the case maybe of the coupling component gearing 10,9 and axially to thecorresponding support covers 22,21 in a prestressed manner. Thecorrugated pipes 18,47 may be mounted, for example, by bolting, weldingor clamping or the like and the weld of at least one outer edge side ofthe corrugated pipe 47,18 can be extended through support covers 22,21preferably without an own fastening element.

For practical reasons, the outer free spaces 16,15 can be connected tothe corresponding internal coupling component chambers 65,17representing the internal free spaces by means of at least one pressurecompensation opening 30 (FIG. 2), 31 (FIG. 3) for the purpose ofthrottling so that lubricant and in particular oil as well as air canflow through the opening thereby compensating for the pressure.

The pressure compensation openings 30,31 are positioned in thecorresponding connecting area of a protruding ring of external toothgearing 49,44 preferably in paraxial direction between the outer freespace 16,15 and the internal coupling component chamber 65,17.

On the other hand, the free spaces 16,65 or 15,17 as the case may be,which are allocated to each other, act as a pneumatic spring.

It is possible to adjust the performance of the pneumatic spring bychanging the dimensions of the cross-sectional shape of pressurecompensation openings 30,31.

To fill the internal coupling component chambers 65,17 with thelubricant oil, filling holes 58,57 which can be closed with a sealingplug 62 each, in particular with a screw plug, are provided in couplinghousing 2 or, as the case may be, in coupling halves 6,5.

FIG. 3 discloses a magnified drawing of one part of the sectionaccording to FIG. 1. This FIG. 1 shall also be taken into account forexplanation.

The support covers 21,22 are each secured to the coupling halves 5,6 bymeans of a releasable locking element 39,38 basically consisting of anexternal radial snap ring groove 34,35 in the coupling halves 5,6, aradial internal snap ring groove 32,33 in support covers 21,22 and aresilient ring, in particular spring ring 24,25, which engages with bothopposite snap ring grooves 32,34 or 33,35 as the case may be duringlocking. The securing resilient rings 24,25 have a positive fit inrelation to the snap ring grooves 32,33,34,45.

In order to release the locking of support covers 21,22, there are atleast three openings and in particular threaded bores 26 or, as the casemay be 27 which are arranged in a 120° angle each preferably as radialbore at the outside of the external fastening elements 29,28.

However, the support covers 21,22 may also be secured by simply screwingthe external fastening elements 28,29 to the coupling halves 5,6 atfront ends.

Similarly to FIG. 2,3, FIG. 4 shows a section in which the corrugatedpipe 47 is secured to support cover 66 and to coupling component 4 in asimple mounting manner. For example, on the one hand, the corrugatedpipe 47, at its face, may be directly secured, in particular by weldingor clamping, to the corresponding support cover 66 at connection point67 and within its outer edge region without a bonded fastening element.

On the other hand, the corrugated pipe 47 may feature an annularfastening element 68 positioned internally at the front ends at theother outer edge region and directed towards coupling component 4 whichmay consist of several rings as, for example, an external clamping ring69 welded to the corrugated pipe 47 and an internal adjusting ring 70fitted into and guided inside said clamping ring, said fastening elementbeing secured to coupling component 4 by means of threaded drill insideadjusting ring 70 and corresponding screw locking 71 so that theclamping ring 69 is locked between adjusting ring 70 and couplingcomponent 4.

In addition to the bonded connection of corrugated pipe 47 to theinternal fastening component 60 of the corresponding support cover 66which is easy to mount, also its external fastening element 28 may havea simple shape and, in particular, a flange-like shape and may besecured to the externally flanged coupling half 6, e.g., by a screwing72. In double toothed couplings, the second corrugated pipe 18 ispositioned in the same way.

While the ways of mounting the corrugated pipe 18,47 to support covers21,22 or 66 and to coupling components 3,4 are discussed with referenceto the drawings in FIG. 2,3,4, it is to be understood that the mountingpossibilities are not restricted to these drawings.

Referring to FIG. 5, toothed coupling 1 in FIG. 1 related to theinvention is depicted while being radially displaced.

In that the coupling components 3,4 (shafts) are displaced in relationto each other, a relative movement with respect to coupling housing 2 orcoupling halves 5,6 as the case may be occurs which is represented bydisplacement angle a between the rotational axis 64,63 of the couplingcomponents and the rotational axis 59 of the coupling housingrespectively.

During displacement, the coupling housing 2 tilts in relation to thereference points on the camber centre line 36,37 and in this way, thecorrugated pipes 18,47 are subject to plastic deformation.

Due to the initial tension of corrugated pipes 18,47 and the pneumaticcushions, it is possible to dispense with stopper elements not only inthe lateral external regions of engaging teeth 13,14 but also in theentire toothed coupling 1 related to the invention in general.

The invention may also be employed in toothed couplings and inparticular in double toothed couplings in which the engaging teethconsist of cambered second teeth (external tooth gearing) of thecoupling housing or the coupling halves as the case may be and straightfirst teeth (internal tooth gearing) of the coupling components.

Reference list 1 double toothed coupling 2 coupling housing 3 couplingcomponent 4 coupling component 5 coupling half 6 coupling half 7peripheral region 8 peripheral region 9 external tooth gearing 10external tooth gearing 11 internal tooth gearing 12 internal toothgearing 13 engaging teeth 14 engaging teeth 15 free space 16 free space17 internal coupling component chamber 18 corrugated pipe 19 face 20face 21 support cover 22 support cover 23 fit bolts 24 ring 25 ring 26opening 27 opening 28 external fastening element 29 external fasteningelement 30 pressure compensation opening 31 pressure compensationopening 32 internal snap ring groove 33 internal snap ring groove 34external snap ring groove 35 external snap ring groove 36 referencepoint on the camber centre line 37 reference point on the camber centreline 38 locking element 39 locking element 40 fastening element 41fastening element 42 flange 43 flange 44 external tooth gearing ring 45internal cover 46 internal cover 47 corrugated pipe 48 camber centreline 49 external tooth gearing ring 50 recess 51 recess 52 camber centreline 53 fastening element 54 fastening element 55 envelope 56 flangearea 57 filling hole 58 filling hole 59 rotational axis of couplinghousing 60 internal fastening component 61 internal fastening component62 sealing plug 63 rotational axis of coupling component 64 rotationalaxis of coupling component 65 internal coupling component chamber 66support cover 67 connection point 68 fastening element 69 clamping ring70 adjusting ring 71 screw locking 72 screwed connection δ displacementangle

What is claimed is:
 1. A toothed coupling for rail vehicles, essentiallyconsisting of a coupling housing and having a first peripheral region; acoupling component fitted inside the coupling housing and having asecond peripheral region; first teeth having first faces and disposed inthe first peripheral region of the coupling housing; second teeth havingsecond faces and disposed in the second peripheral region of thecoupling component, wherein the first teeth are engaging with the secondteeth of the coupling component, and wherein the first teeth are movablein relation to the second teeth and vice versa; an annular disc-shapedsupport cover protecting the first teeth at their first faces andprotecting the second teeth at their second faces between the couplinghousing and the coupling component; an axial corrugated pipe positionedbetween the coupling housing and the coupling component and secured to amember of the group selected from the coupling component and thecoupling housing for sealing, the first teeth and the second teethwithin a fluid chamber.
 2. The toothed coupling according to claim 1,further comprising a second coupling component fitted inside thecoupling housing having a third peripheral region; third teeth havingthird faces and disposed in the third peripheral region of the secondcoupling component; a second axial corrugated pipe positioned betweenthe coupling housing and the second coupling component and secured to amember of the group selected from the second coupling component and thecoupling housing for sealing the third teeth and the first teeth and forresiliently setting a predetermined position of the coupling housingrelative to the second coupling component, wherein the first axialcorrugated pipe is axially mounted between the coupling housing and thefirst coupling component, wherein the second axial corrugated pipe isaxially mounted between the coupling housing and the second couplingcomponent, wherein said first axial corrugated pipe and said secondaxial corrugated pipe provide that the coupling housing is adjusted to apredetermined position between the first coupling component and thesecond coupling component in case of an axial relative motion betweenthe first coupling component and the second coupling component.
 3. Thetoothed coupling according to claim 1, wherein the corrugated pipeconsists of a bellow of corrosion-proof material; wherein the couplinghousing is formed by two coupling halves; and wherein the toothedcoupling for rail vehicles is a double toothed coupling for railvehicles.
 4. The toothed coupling according to claim 3, wherein theaxial corrugated pipe is at least single-walled.
 5. The toothed couplingaccording to claim 4, wherein the axial corrugated pipe is formed atleast in simple multiple meanders with respect to its longitudinalsection.
 6. The toothed coupling according to claim 5, wherein anundulated geometry of the axial corrugated pipe depending on an intendedstrain is constructed such that an outer envelope of the axialcorrugated pipe represents a geometric figure and exhibits a cylindricaland a tapered shape.
 7. The toothed coupling of claim 6 furthercomprising an annular and flange-like fastening element disposed atleast at one of outer edge areas at faces of the first axial corrugatedpipe.
 8. The toothed coupling according to claim 1, further comprising asupport cover having an external fastening component and an internalfastening component, wherein the support cover is secured to a memberselected from the group consisting of coupling housing and the couplingcomponent at its external fastening component and to the axialcorrugated pipe at its internal fastening component by a method selectedfrom the group consisting of welding and clamping.
 9. The toothedcoupling according to claim 7, wherein the fastening element of theaxial corrugated pipe consists of several rings and comprises anexternal clamping ring and an internal adjusting ring, wherein theinternal adjusting ring is inserted in said clamping ring, said axialcorrugated pipe being secured to the clamping ring by means of a bondedconnection to the clamping ring and wherein said clamping ring ismounted to a member selected from the group consisting of the couplingcomponent and the coupling housing by screwing on the adjusting ring.10. The toothed coupling according to claim 1, further comprising anannular recess disposed between the coupling housing and the couplingcomponent, wherein the first axial corrugated pipe is positioned in saidannular recess.
 11. The toothed coupling according to claim 10, whereinthe first axial corrugated pipe and the second axial corrugated pipe arepositioned in the recesses.
 12. The toothed coupling of claim 11,further comprising a first internal coupling component chamber, whereinthe annular recess of the first coupling component has a circularcavity-shaped cross section at a respective face in relation to thefirst internal coupling component chamber; a first camber center line ofthe second teeth of the first coupling component, wherein the firstaxial corrugated pipe is centrally mounted with respect to the firstcamber center line of the second teeth of the first coupling componentand axially in relation to an axis of rotation of the coupling housingin the first internal coupling component chamber; a second internalcoupling component chamber; a second annular recess, wherein the secondannular recess of the second coupling component has a circularcavity-shaped cross section at a respective face in relation to thesecond internal coupling component chamber; a second camber center lineof the third teeth of the second coupling component, wherein the secondaxial corrugated pipe is centrally mounted with respect to the secondcamber center line of the third teeth of the second coupling componentand axially in relation to an axis of rotation of the second couplinghousing in the second internal coupling component chamber.
 13. Thetoothed coupling according to claim 12, wherein the coupling housingconsists of a first coupling housing half and of a second couplinghousing half, wherein the first coupling housing half and the secondcoupling housing half are symmetrical, and further comprising a firstflange formed on at the first coupling housing half; a second flangeformed on at the second coupling housing half and facing the firstflange, wherein a flange region is formed between the first flange andthe second flange, and wherein the first coupling housing half and thesecond coupling housing half are interconnected and are screwed togetherat the first flange and second flange; a first internal cover secured tothe first coupling housing half and directed in the flange area towardthe first internal coupling component chamber, wherein the firstinternal cover seals the first internal coupling component chamber; asecond internal cover secured to the second coupling housing half anddirected in the flange area toward the second internal couplingcomponent chamber, wherein the second internal cover seals the secondinternal coupling component chamber.
 14. The toothed coupling accordingto claim 13, wherein the second teeth of the first coupling componentand the third teeth of the second coupling component form a camberedexternal tooth gearings, wherein the first teeth of the coupling housingform a straight internal tooth gearing, and wherein the camberedexternal tooth qearings and the straight internal tooth gearing togetherform tooth engagement gearings of the toothed coupling.
 15. The toothedcoupling according to claim 1, wherein the coupling housing isconstructed as an intermediary piece, and wherein the axial corrugatedpipe is positioned outside the first peripheral region of the couplinghousing constructed as the intermediary piece and, while the couplinghousing is enclosed by the peripheral region of the coupling componentat its faces, the second teeth of the coupling component are constructedas an internal tooth gearing and the first teeth of the coupling housingare constructed as an external tooth gearing.
 16. The toothed couplingaccording to claim 15, wherein the second teeth of the couplingcomponent form a straight internal tooth gearing, wherein the firstteeth of the coupling housing form a cambered external tooth gearing,and wherein the cambered external tooth gearing and the straightinternal tooth gearing together form the tooth engagement gearing of atoothed coupling; wherein the axial corrugated pipe is disposed tightfitting relative to the tooth engagement gearing.
 17. The toothedcoupling according to claim 15, further comprising at least one fillinghole furnished in the coupling housing; a screw plug locking up thefilling hole, wherein a lubricant is introducible through the fillinghole into the internal coupling component chambers, wherein the internalcoupling component chambers are separated from the flange area by meansof the internal covers.
 18. The toothed coupling according to claim 8,further comprising a releasable locking element, wherein the externalfastening component of the support cover is secured to a member selectedfrom the group consisting of the coupling housing and the couplingcomponent by means of the releasable locking element.
 19. The toothedcoupling according to claim 18, further comprising free spaces sealed bythe axial corrugated pipes and disposed between the support cover andthe tooth engagement gearing; at least a pressure compensation openingacting as a throttle, wherein the free spaces are connected to thecorresponding internal coupling component chambers, representinginternal free spaces, with the pressure compensation opening such thatthe lubricant and air flow through the pressure compensation openingthereby compensating for pressure.
 20. The toothed coupling according toclaim 19, wherein the free spaces are constructed as pneumatic springs.21. The toothed coupling of claim 20, wherein a selected cross-sectionof the pressure compensation opening determines a force of the pneumaticsprings.
 22. A toothed coupling and in particular a double toothedcoupling for rail vehicles, essentially consisting of a coupling housing(2; 5, 6) and at least one coupling component fitted inside the couplinghousing (2; 5, 6), the coupling component (3, 4) has second teeth orthird teeth (9, 10) in its peripheral region (7) and the couplinghousing (2; 5, 6) has first teeth (11, 12) in its peripheral regionwhich form engaging teeth (13, 14) with the second teeth and third teeth(9, 10) of the coupling component which teeth (9, 10; 10, 12) aremovable in relation to one another, and there is at least one annulardisk-shaped support cover (21, 22) protecting the engaging teeth (13,14) at the respective faces (19, 20) between the coupling housing (2; 5,6) and the coupling component (3, 4), wherein there is at least oneaxial corrugated pipe (18, 47) positioned between the coupling housing(2; 5, 6) and each coupling component (3, 4) secured to at least one ofboth parts (2, 3; 2, 4 or 5, 3; 6, 4) which seals engaging teeth withina fluid chamber (13, 14) and also resiliently sets a predeterminedposition of the coupling housing (2; 5, 6).
 23. A toothed coupling ofclaim 22, wherein the corrugated pipes (18, 47) are axially mountedbetween the coupling housing (2) or the coupling halves (5,6) formingthe coupling housing (2) and one corresponding coupling component (3,4)with or without initial tension; said pipes providing that the couplinghousing (2; 5, 6) is adjusted to a predetermined position between bothcoupling components (3, 4) in case of axial relative motion between thecoupling components (3,4); wherein the corrugated pipe (18, 47) is atleast singlewalled; wherein the corrugated pipe (18, 47) is formed atleast in simple multiple meanders with respect to its longitudinalsection; wherein depending on the intended strain, the undulatedgeometry of the corrugated pipe (18, 47) is accordingly designed so thatthe outer envelope (55) of the corrugated pipe (18, 47) represents ageometric figure; wherein there is an annular or flange-like fasteningelement (53, 54; 40, 41; 68) at least one of the outer edge areas at thefaces of the corrugated pipe (18, 47); wherein the fastening elements(53, 54; 40, 41; 68) of the corrugated pipes (18, 47) consist of severalrings and basically comprise an external clamping ring (69) and aninternal adjusting ring (70) which can be inserted in said clampingring, said corrugated pipes (18, 47) being secured to the clamping rings(69) by means of a bonded connection to rings (69) and said clampingrings (69) are mounted to the coupling components (3, 4) or couplinghousing (2) as the case may be by means of screwed adjusting rings (70);wherein the corrugated pipe (18, 47) is positioned in an annular recess(50, 51) between coupling housing (2; 5, 6) and coupling component (3,4); wherein corrugated pipes are positioned one after the other, oneinside the other and/or parallel to each other in recess (50; 51);wherein the coupling components (3, 4) are provided with an annularrecess (50, 51) in which the corrugated pipe (18; 47) is centrallymounted with respect to the camber center line (48; 52) of the couplingcomponent teeth (9, 10) and axially in relation to the axis of rotationof the coupling housing (59); wherein the coupling housing (2) basicallyconsists of two coupling halves (5, 6) which are interconnected and arescrewed to existing flanges (42, 43) which match the shape of thecoupling halves (5, 6) and are positioned opposite to each other; saidcoupling halves directed at the corresponding internal couplingcomponent chamber (17, 65), contain an internal cover (45, 46) securedto the corresponding coupling half (5, 6) which seals the internalchamber; wherein in the coupling housing (2) or, as the case may be, inthe coupling halves (5, 6), there is at least one filling hole (57, 58)which can be locked-up in particular by means of a screw plug throughwhich the lubricant is introduced into the internal coupling componentchambers (17, 65) which is separated from the flange area (56) by meansof the internal covers (45, 46).
 24. The toothed coupling of claim 22,wherein support cover (21, 22) is secured to the clutch housing (2; 5,6) or to the coupling component (3, 4) at its external fasteningcomponent (28, 29) and to the corrugated pipe (18, 47) at its internalfastening component (60, 61); wherein the external fastening components(3, 4) of support covers (21, 22) are each secured to the couplinghousing (2; 5, 6) or coupling components (3, 4) as the case may be;wherein there are free spaces (15, 16) sealed by means of the corrugatedpipes between support cover (21, 22) and engaging teeth which areconnected to the corresponding internal coupling component chambers (17,65) representing the internal free spaces by means of at least onepressure compensation opening (30, 31) for the purpose of throttling sothat the lubricant and in particular oil as well as air can flow throughthe opening thereby compensating for pressure; wherein the free spaces(15, 17) or (16, 65) as the case may be are designed as pneumaticspring; wherein the selected cross-section of the pressure compensationopening (30, 31) determines the forces of the pneumatic spring.
 25. Thetoothed coupling according to claim 2, wherein the coupling housing isadjusted to a predetermined, central position between the first couplingcomponent and the second coupling component; and wherein the axialcorrugated pipe resiliently sets a predetermined position of thecoupling housing relative to the coupling component.
 26. The toothedcoupling of claim 23, wherein the coupling housing (2; 5, 6) is adjustedto a predetermined, central position between both coupling components(3, 4); wherein the corrugated pipe (18, 47) preferably consists of abellow of corrosion-proof material; wherein the outer envelope (55) ofthe corrugated pipe (18, 47) has a cylindrical or a tapered shape;wherein the annular recess (50, 51) is formed with a circularcavity-shaped cross section at the respective faces in relation to theinternal coupling component chamber (17, 65); wherein the two couplinghalves (5, 6) are formed symmetrical; wherein said coupling halves aredirected at the corresponding internal coupling component chamber (17,65) in the flange area (56); wherein the engaging teeth (13, 14) ofcoupling (1) each consist of a straight internal tooth gearing (11, 12)of coupling housing (2; 5, 6) and an engaging cambered external toothgearing (9, 10) of the coupling component (3, 4).
 27. The toothedcoupling of claim 24, wherein the wherein support cover (21, 22) issecured to the clutch housing (2; 5, 6) or to the coupling component (3,4) at its external fastening component (28, 29) and to the corrugatedpipe (18, 47) at its internal fastening component (60, 61) by welding orclamping; wherein the external fastening components (3, 4) of supportcovers (21, 22) are each secured to the coupling housing (2; 5, 6) orcoupling components (3, 4) as the case may be by means of a releasablelocking element (38, 39).
 28. A toothed coupling of claim 22, whereinthe corrugated pipes (18, 47) are axially mounted between the couplinghousing (2) or the coupling halves (5,6) forming the coupling housing(2) and one corresponding coupling component (3,4) with or withoutinitial tension; said pipes providing that the coupling housing (2; 5,6) is adjusted to a predetermined position between both couplingcomponents (3, 4) in case of axial relative motion between the couplingcomponents (3,4); wherein the corrugated pipe (18, 47) is at leastsinglewalled; wherein the corrugated pipe (18, 47) is formed at least insimple multiple meanders with respect to its longitudinal section;wherein depending on the intended strain, the undulated geometry of thecorrugated pipe (18, 47) is accordingly designed so that the outerenvelope (55) of the corrugated pipe (18, 47) represents a geometricfigure; wherein there is an annular or flange-like fastening element(53, 54; 40, 41; 68) at least one of the outer edge areas at the facesof the corrugated pipe (18, 47); wherein the fastening elements (53, 54;40, 41; 68) of the corrugated pipes (18, 47) consist of several ringsand basically comprise an external clamping ring (69) and an internaladjusting ring (70) which can be inserted in said clamping ring, saidcorrugated pipes (18, 47) being secured to the clamping rings (69) bymeans of a bonded connection to rings (69) and said clamping rings (69)are mounted to the coupling components (3, 4) or coupling housing (2) asthe case may be by means of screwed adjusting rings (70); wherein thecorrugated pipe (18, 47) is positioned in an annular recess (50, 51)between coupling housing (2; 5, 6) and coupling component (3, 4);wherein corrugated pipes are positioned one after the other, one insidethe other and/or parallel to each other in recess (50; 51); wherein thecoupling components (3, 4) are provided with an annular recess (50, 51)in which the corrugated pipe (18; 47) is centrally mounted with respectto the camber center line (48; 52) of the coupling component teeth (9,10) and axially in relation to the axis of rotation of the couplinghousing (59); wherein the coupling housing (2) basically consists of twocoupling halves (5, 6) which are interconnected and are screwed toexisting flanges (42, 43) which match the shape of the coupling halves(5, 6) and are positioned opposite to each other; said coupling halvesdirected at the corresponding internal coupling component chamber (17,65), contain an internal cover (45, 46) secured to the correspondingcoupling half (5, 6) which seals the internal chamber; wherein thecoupling housing (2; 5, 6) is designed as intermediary piece and thecorrugated pipe (18, 47) is positioned outside the peripheral region ofthe coupling housing (2; 5, 6) designed as intermediary piece and, asthe coupling housing (2) is enclosed by the peripheral regions ofcoupling component (3, 4) at its faces, the coupling component teeth inthe form of second teeth and third teeth are designed as internal toothgearing and the coupling housing teeth in the form of first teeth aredesigned as external tooth gearing; wherein the engaging teeth seal thecorrugated pipes (18, 47) which consist of cambered first teeth in theform of an external tooth gearing of the coupling housing or thecoupling halves as the case may be and straight second teeth and thirdteeth in the form of internal tooth gearing of the coupling components;wherein in the coupling housing (2) or, as the case may be, in thecoupling halves (5, 6), there is at least one filling hole (57, 58)which can be locked-up in particular by means of a screw plug throughwhich the lubricant is introduced into the internal coupling componentchambers (17, 65) which is separated from the flange area (56) by meansof the internal covers (45, 46).
 29. A toothed coupling for railvehicles, essentially consisting of a coupling housing and having afirst peripheral region; a coupling component fitted inside the couplinghousing and having a second peripheral region; first teeth having firstfaces and disposed in the first peripheral region of the couplinghousing; second teeth having second faces and disposed in the secondperipheral region of the coupling component, wherein the first teeth areengaging with the second teeth of the coupling component, and whereinthe first teeth are movable in relation to the second teeth and viceversa; an annular disc-shaped support cover protecting the first teethat their first faces and protecting the second teeth at their secondfaces between the coupling housing and the coupling component; an axialcorrugated pipe positioned between the coupling housing and the couplingcomponent and secured to a member of the group selected from couplingcomponent and coupling housing for sealing, the first teeth and thesecond teeth within a fluid chamber, for preventing fluid loss, forpreventing gear tooth contamination and to perform as a biasing means.